Receptacle filling machine



March 23, 1954 D, w, SMITH 2,673,019

RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

DENNlS w. SM|TH BY ATT'Ys March 23, 1954 D W SM|T|| 2,673,019

RECETACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTOR.'

DENNIS W. SMIT ATT'Ys March 23, 1954 D W, sMlTH 2,673,019

RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 SheetSfSheet 5INVEN'ToR- DENNIS W. SMITH BY v March 23, 1954 D. w. SMITH RECEPIACLEFILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15, 1952 m mm INVENTOR:DENNIS VV. SMITH E BY ATTYs Ow Nv March 23, 1954 D W SMlTH 2,673,019

' RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

REAR FRONT FIG. I4 13 Y l5 73 74 i@ Q (79M (so FIG.

` gNVENToR.- DENNIS W. SMITH ATT'Ys from each side of the frame I andenter into suitable outwardly projecting sockets I9 and II mounted faston the conveyer mechanism side plate I2, each of the coupling pins beingheld in its socket by a suitable cotter.

In this arrangement power for driving the depositor apparatus is takenfrom a sprocket I3, which is mounted on a shaft I4 extending through theconveyer mechanism side plate I2 and suitably driven by a sprocket I5having positive driving connection with the drive chain of the conveyermechanism. The sprocket I3 has positive driving connection with the maindriving sprocket I6 of the depositor mechanism by means of a chain I1.

As shown, the main driving sprocket I6 for the depositor mechanism ismounted fast on the hub of a clutch member I8, which in turn isrotatablyT mounted on a stub shaft I9 attached to and extendingoutwardly from the side plate I2 of the conveyer mechanism 1, the secondpart 29 of the clutch being likewise mounted rotatably on a stub shaftI9.I extending forwardly from the mounting plate 4 of the frame I andaxially aligned with the shaft I9. The clutch part 29 is in turndirectly connected to sprockets 2| and 22, which are mounted on a commonhub, on the shaft I 9.I.

The sprocket 2I is connected by a chain 25 to the driving shaft 23, ofthe variable speed drive 5, by means of a sprocket 24 mounted fast onthe shaft 23; and the sprocket 22 is connected, by a chain 26, with asprocket 21 which is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 28, projectingfrom the upright plate 4. mounted on a common hub with a gear 29 fromwhich a positive drive for the depositor mechanism is obtaned as will behereafter explained.

In the form shown the depositor mechanism comprises a pair of parallelhorizontally spaced rotatable heads 30 and 3| which are carried on ayoke-like bracket member 32 rigidly mountn ed on an arm 33 attached toand extending forwardly from the frame I vadjacent its upper end. Theyoke 32 is located at the outer end of the arm 33 and is horizontallydisposed with its arms 34 and 35 extending equidistant from the centerof the main support arm 33. Each of the arms 34 and 35 of the yoke orbracket carries a tubular shaft support member 36 which is rigidlysecured to the respective arms.

As shown in detail in Fig. 5, the tubular support member 36 for eachdepositor head extends through a suitable opening formed adjacent theend of the respective arm of the yoke member 32 and at its outer endcarries a depositor head body 31 which in turn is rigidly secured to aflange. 38 suitably fastened to the support member 36. The depositorhead body 31 is an annular disc-like member having a forwardly tapered,substantially conical, peripheral surface over which an annular conicalvalving member 39 is fitted in nested relation.

The valving member 39 is a hollow dish-like element in the form of atruncated cone and has a central hub 40 which is mounted on and keyed toa shaft 4I which extends through the hollow support member 36.y Theshaft 4I is rotatably mounted in the support member 36 on conical rollerbearings 42 and 43, and at its rearward end carries a flanged hub 44which is suitably fastened to the shaft, as by a tapered pin 45. Theange of the hub 44 carries a drive sprocket 46.

The forward end of the shaft 4I extends through the hub 40 of thevalving cone 39 and The sprocket 21 is directly its outer end isenclosed by a cap nut 41, which also serves as a means for adjusting thevalving member 39 axially with respect to the shaft 4I. As shown, theshaft 4I is held against axial movement in the support member 36 bymeans of bearing members or discs 4B and 49 set into respective ends ofthe support member 36, the hub 54 at the sprocket end of the shaftengaging the outer surface of the bearing member 4t, and a bearing nut59 adjacent the forward end of the shaft 4I engaging the outer surfaceof the bearing member 49.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the conical wall of the depositor headbody 31 is provided with a peripherally extending, radially opening,pocket or cavity 5I, which extends an annular distance of substantially90; the pocket 5I, in the form of the device herein illustrated, beinglocated at the bottom portion of the depositor head and centereddirectly below the shaft axis so as to extend an equal distance oneither` side of a vertical plane through the shaft axis.

As shown, the pocket 5I is deiined by an inner wall 52 and an internallythreaded opening 53 in the rear wall of the valve body is provided forconnection of the pocket with a supply conduit 54 whereby material to bedeposited may be supplied to the pocket.

The pocket 5I is normally closed by the conical wall 55 of the rotatablevalving member 39, which wall slidably fits the conical periphery of thevalve body 31. The adjoining surfaces of the wall 55 and conical wall 55are finished and lapped together to provide a substantially leakproofrunning seal, and at predetermined locations on the periphery of therotatable valve member 39, valve openings 51 are provided which, whenregistered with the pocket 5I, serve as discharge ports for the materialsupplied to the pocket by the conduit 54. The location of the openings51 about the periphery of the valve member 39 is determined by thetiming requirements of the depositing mechanism with respect to themovement of the receptacles to be filled, as will be hereafterexplained.

As herein shown, the depositing apparatus utilizes two of the depositingheads just described, and in the case of reach depositing head, thevalve body member 31 is stationary and the valving member 39 is rotary.Thus in order to keep the two valving members in precisely timedrelation with each other with respect to their rotation, the sprockets45 at the rearward ends of the shafts 4I are connected by a chain 59,the upper run of which is carried over a flange or guide 59 on the arm33 in order to span the arm 33. As shown in Figs. l and 2, the drive forthe depositor heads 30 and 3| is taken from the gear 29 which is meshedwith a gear 60 mounted on the shaft of the depositor head 39; and, asshown in Fig. 5, the gear 59 is fastened directly to the sprocket 46 bymeans of screws 6I which extend through the sprocket into the hub of thegear 69. The sprocket 4S is in turn secured to the flange of the hub 44by means of bolts 62. In this manner the drive for the depositor heads39 and 3! is positively connected with the driving sprocket 22 which inturn is positively connected with the sprocket I6 driven directly fromthe conveyer mechanism as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the timing of vtherotation of the valving members comprising the depositor heads 39 and 3lis at all times in fixed relation with the movement of the conveyermechanism.

The clutch, comprising the .separate members I8 and 2G, interposedbetween the sprockets I6 and 2l-22 on the fixed shaft IQJ, is of theautomatic, selfeihdeiiing type which Will disenga'ge Whenever anexcessive load or jamming occu'r's in any part of the driven apparatus'.In this type of clutch the parts, when mated by attache ment vof thedepositor apparatus "to the conveyer by the pins il and d, are held inengagement by the spring loaded elements, not shoivn, angularly spacedabout the clutch axis, which yield to permit slipping of one partrelative to the other upon overload; 'and the spring loaded engagingelements are so disposed as to cause engagement of the clutch parts onlywhen they are in prede-i termined angular relation. Thus slipping of theclutch, under overload conditions, Will not dis= rupt the timingrelation of depositing apparatus with respect to the conveyer mechanismwith which the apparatus is connected.

The object of the depositing apparatus is to discharge a iluid materialinto receptacles as they are carried beneath the depositar heads by the`conveyer rnechanisniahd hence the speed of rotation of the depositorvalving members, and the angular spacing of the discharge ports 51there'- in, must coincide with the speed of movement of the receptaclesas they pass beneath the'deposhl tor headsand with the spacing ofthereceptacles along the conveyer path. It is for this reason that thedrive for the depositing apparatus is taken directly from the conveyermechanism so that the timingv relation Will always be constant.

Itis also an object of this invention to provide for a constant rate offlow of material from the pump t to the supply conduits leading to thedepositor heads and in order to accomplish this, in the depositingapparatus herein shown, tivo depositor heads are employed and theangular spacing of the discharge ports or openings 51 with respect toeach other, and the angular relation of the valving member of onedepositor head with respect to the valving member of the other depositorhead, is such that at least one of the die charge openings 51 Will be incommunication with a valve body pocket 5! at all times. lThus, since theangular length of the pockets el is substantially 90 and each valve portor opening 51 will be in communication with a pocket 5! for at least 90of its angular movement, the quantity of .maN

terial to be discharged through the valve port 51 Will be dependent uponthe speed of rotation of the valving cones and the rat-e of discharge ofthe supply pump Therefore, since the speed of the valving cones isconstant, to control the quantity of material discharged through a valveport 51 while it is in registry with a valve pocket 5l, the speed ofpump t must be adjusted accord'- ingly.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the drive for the pump ii is taken from thevariable speed mechanism 5 by means of a chain e3 running between asprocket te on the pump drive shaft 65 and a sprocket @t mounted on thedriven 'shaft 61 of the variable speed drive. The 'speed of the pump 6may be thus regulated by varying the speed of the driven shaft of thevariable speed drive mechanism Which is accomplished by means of anadjusting knob t8. As shown, the pump 6 has an inlet connection 69leading from a reservoir of the filling material, not shown, and adischarge connection 'it which leads through an opening 1| in thesupport plate t to the branch connections 54 which lead to therespective depositor heads. The pump 6 is preferably a positivedisplacement rotary pump and suchpumps,

suitable for handling ller material, and particularly such materialhaving Whole fruit or relatively large fruit piece content,` areavailable on tlie'open market.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the depositor heads 30 and 3l are disposedand arranged for iilling large sine pie plates as they are transportedby the conveyer mechanism of a pie making machine 1, and since the pieplates are carried in a single row by the conveyer, the depositor headsare located directly over the center line of the conveyer and the pathof pie plate travel. Ordinarily large size pie plates, for example, teninch plates, are carried on the conveyer in individual plate holders 12which are spaced on twenty inch centers along the path of conveyertravel. Thus, the depositor heads 30 and 3l must function in timedvrelation with each other and with the movement of the pie plates todeliver lling material to each pie plate as it passes beneath thedepositor heads, and the speed of rotation ofthe valving member 39 ofthe depositor heads, toL gether with the angular location of thedischarge openings 51, must be such as to open and close, or cut ofi',flow from the depos-itor head cavities 5| while a pie plate is in properposition to receive the filling material.

In order to accomplish this result, and with the form of the apparatusshown in Figs. l to 3 inclusive, the depositor heads are arranged on teninch centers, and each depositor head functions to deliver to each pieplate, one-half ofthe total quantity of material required to nll the pieplate. Also, the openings 51, in each rotating valving member 39, aredisposed diametrically opposite each other, or 180 apart, and the twovalve members are arranged relative to each other so that the openings'of one valve member are in advance of the corresponding openings of theother valve member.

With this arrangement, the speed of rotation of the valve members issuch that the openings 5l' vvill have 'an angular speed of substantiallyone-'half the speed of lineal travel of the pie plates on theconveyer 1. That is, the valving members will turn through one-halfrevolution While the receptacles move a distance of twenty inches. Thus,since the cavity 5l in each valve body has an angular length of 90, eachopening el in the valving member 39 will deliver material from thecavity 5i during onequarter of the revolution of the valving member 39,'or during the interval that a pie plate moves through a distance of teninches.

In this case, the speed of the pump 6 is adjusted to deliver llingmaterial at a rate equivalent to one-half the total 'quantity requiredto fill the pie plate during lthe interval that a valve port is open;and, since the depositor heads 'are on ten inch centers and thedischarge openings of one are 90 out of phase with the openings of theother,N each pie plate Will receive a deposit of oneehalf of the totalrequired amount of filling material as it passes under the ller head 3iand will receive the balance of the lliiig material from the seconddepositor head 39, a valve opening 51 in the rst depositor head closingat the same time that a valve opening in the second depositor head isopening. Also, since the depositor head valve members 39 are rotating atthe same speed, the total discharge opening for passage of fluidmaterial from the pump to the pie plates will at all times be constant"so that the rate of flovv of filling naterial through the pump and theconduit 10 will likewise be constant.

A detailed front View of the depositor head valve member 39, with thevalve body 3l indicated in dotted outline, is shown in Fig. 6. In thiscase the diameter of the valve body 3l at its base, or large end, isapproximately nine and one-half inches, and the angle of inclination othe conical side wall, from the axis of the valve body, is 2.21/2". Theover-all thickness of the depositor head is approximately two andone-halt` inches and the valve openings 51 are substantially one andone-quarter inches square.

Fig. 4 of the drawings shows an arrangement of the depositor heads forlling individual-size pie plates having a diameter o1 iive inches orless, in which case each plate holder of the pie making machine conveyermechanism holds a group of four of the small size plates. In this caseeach depositor head must function to completely fill two pie plates, ofeach group of four, while the plate holder travels beneath the depositorhead, and, since the pie plates are arranged in two rows as shown inFig. Ll, the depositor heads must be staggered relative to each other,transversely of the conveyer, so that each depositor head will serve asingle row of pie plates.

For grouped receptacles, or pie plates the only change in the depositormechanism is in the size and mounting of the depositor heads, and in thesprocket sizes which determine the speed of rotation of the depositorvalving member 39. Also, the valve openings 5l in each depositor headare spaced apart an angular distance of 90 and the two valving membersare arranged to be 180' out of phase with each other.

In this case, and since the plate holders are on twenty inch centers,the depositor heads, which are on ten inch centers, are driven at aspeed such that each will make one complete revolution while the plateholders travel twenty inches on the conveyer mechanism 1. As in thearrangement for lling the large size pie plates,

4and since the two valve members 39 rotate at precisely the same speed,a valve opening 5l will at all times be in communication with a cavity5| in one of the valve bodies so that the total area of dischargeopening for passage of material from the pump to the receptacles will atall times be constant.

A face view of this modified form of depositor head is shown in Fig. '1,and in this case the diameter of the valve body at its base, isapproximately seven and seven-eighths inches, otherwise the over-allthickness of the depositor heads is substantially the same as in thecase of the larger size depositor heads. Also, in the smaller depositorheads, the discharge ports 57 are preferably smaller than in the largeheads, for example, one-half the area, in order to prevent too rapiddischarge from the cavity 5l for adequate supply of the next dischargeport.

In order t0 more fully demonstrate the operation of the depositor headsas they function to ll pie plates or other receptacles, as they aremoved continuously along a predetermined path by a conveyor mechanism, acomplete lling operation for both the large size receptacles and thesmall size grouped receptacles, is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 18inclusive. Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive, show the various phases of acomplete filling operation of the depositor heads for a single largesize receptacle as it passes beneath the depositor heads; and Figs. 14to 18 inclusive, show the op- 8 eration of the depositor heads arrangedfor lling receptacles carried in groups.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive,

' the depositor heads 3| and 30 are of the type in which the dischargeopenings are diametrically opposite each other, and in which onedepositor head is out of phase with respect to the other depositor head.In this case, the pie plates or other receptacles travel in thedirection indicated by the arrow 'l5 and are uniformly spaced apartalong the path of travel. The direction of rotation of the depositorhead is such that the discharge openings, as they pass the depositorhead cavities 5|, move in the same direction as the receptacles. Fig. 9shows the orice or discharge opening A of the depositor head 3| inposition where it is fully regulated with the cavity 5| and fully openedas at the first part of a filling operation for the receptacle 16. Atthis point, the next previous receptacle 'l1 has been completely filledand the orifice D of the depositor head 30 is completely closed.

Fig. 10 shows the relation of the receptacle 1E, with respect to thedepositor heads, as the orifice A is approaching its cut ofi position,and the orifice C of the depositor head 39 is approaching its openingposition, the receptacle lt at this point having received a little morethan onefourth of its total lling.

Fig. l1 shows the relation of the elements at the point where theorifice A of the depositor head 3| has become completely closed and theorifice C' of the depositor head 30 is in completely open position, thetwo depositor heads having turned through an angular distance ofsubstantially 90 and the receptacle 'i6 having progressed one-half thedistance that the successive receptacles are spaced apart.

Fig. 12 shows the relation of the elements where the orice B of thedepositor head 3| is approaching its opening positions and where theorifice C of the head 3l! is approaching its cut oi position. At thispoint the receptacle 16 is almost seven-eighths full and the nextsucceeding receptacle 18 is approaching its filling position.

Fig. 13 shows the relation of the elements when the receptacle 'i9 hasbecome completely filled, the orifice C of the depositor head 30 isfully closed and the orifice B of the depositor head 3| has reachedfully opened position for delivering material to the next receptacle 13.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the orice opening A of the head3| and the orifice opening C of the head 39 function successively toiill one receptacle; that orifices B and D of the two heads functionsuccessively to fill the next succeeding receptacle; and that a completerevolution of the two depositor heads Will accomplish the complete llingof two receptacles. It will also be seen that by the arrangement of theorice openings of the discharge heads and the angular length of thepockets 5|, the total opening area through which material may flow is atall times constant, the orice of one head beginning to open at the sameinstant that the orifice of the other head begins to close and speed ofmovement of the two orifices being the same.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive, wherein the depositor heads 'i3and "M are of the type and arrangement shown in Fig. 4 of the drawingsfor operation to fill individual or small size receptacles which arecarried in groups of four by the conveyer mechanism, the depositor head13 is indicated to be operating on the rear row of receptacles and thehead 14 is indicated as operataerobic ingion the. front rowfofreceptacles. In thiscase, the, orifice openings ATB and C'.-D. in therespective. depositorI heads; are spaced apart an angular distancel of9092 from. each other and the depositar head 1.3 is 180. out of phasewith respect 5 tothe depositcr. headV T41. mso, inthis case, the speedof' rotation of the depositar heads 13. and M is: substantially the sameas the lineal rate. ci travel ofl the receptacles beneath the heads andthe depositor heads are spaced apart one-half the distance between thegroups of receptacles.

In Eig. 14, the orice A ofs the. head 73. is open ing to fill the rstreceptacle in a group. i9. or four receptacles, and the orice` D of thehead i4 is closing after having substantially fil-led the fourthreceptacle of a group 8D..

Fig; 15 shows thev oriiice A ot the head 'i3 closing and the4 orifice Bof the head 13 opening to n-llthe. second receptacle ofl the group -fS.

ld` shows the orifice of the head 13, closingv and the ori-nce C' of thehead 'lil openingl to ll the third receptacle of theY group. T9.

Fig. 17' shows the orice C ofthe head 1:4 closing and the orice Dopening to, ll the fourth receptacle of the group 19. This figure alsoshows the next succeeding group of receptacles M moving into. positionto be lled.

Fig. 18 shows the orifice D of the head 'M closing upon completion ofthe filling of the fourth receptacle of group 719 and shows the orificeA of the head 13 opening to fill the first receptacle in the nextsucceeding group 8|.

In anyl case of a receptacle filling operation, the quantity of materialdelivered by each orirlce opening as it registers with the cavity 5l ofthe depositor head, will be determined. by two factor-s, namely, thespeed of rotation ofthe valving member of the depositor head, and therate ofmaterial delivery from the pump 5 of the depositing apparatus.TheA speed of rotation of the depositor head valving members is directlyrelated to the speed of travel of the conveyer mechanism, and isconstant with respect thereto because of the direct drive connectionbetween the depositor mechanism and the conveyer mechanism. Thusvariation in the rate of delivery of material from the depositar headsto accommodate receptacles or different sizes is obtained, generally, byvariation of the speed of the delivery pump.

It will be understood that the angular relation I the orifice openingsin the depesitor heads, as Well as the angular length ef thedepositor'head cavities l and the lateral spacing of the depositorheads, may be altered to accommodate various spacingdistances of thereceptacles along lthe i conveyor path. However, in any case, thearrangement of oriees should be such that, as between the two depositorheads, the total area of orifice opening for the discharge of materialwill, preferably, be constant at all times. Also de,- pending upon thenature or the IrlaterialA being handled, the angular location of thecavities il may be altered to move the cut 01T point 0165er to thevertical plane so as to minimize dripping andr running of the materialon the outer surface of the valving member.

It will also be understood that in certain lling operations anddepending upon the material .to be deposited, a single depositor head ofthe kind herein disclosed may be used for lling receptodos, moving alonga predetermined path and depositing a predetermined quantity of materialin each receptacle.

The main advantages of this invention reside in the .overeall Simplicityof the depositing appa.. 75

'tion and arrangement off the depositor heads whereby precisely thnedand accurately measured deposit-ine; of? material is obtained; in the4arl? e, ht c tthe. depositor heads, whereby a arse opening of constant.area is maintained at. all. tipos so as to. permit a continuous, uniformthe mate iai from the supply pump; in ved depositor heads will el? .c sof' material at Such a rato as to obviate splashing', sporting andspillin the. overvalt emciency. of operation and .relatively small Spa@requirements for the de- -nositor apparatus; and the, adantability.1 orthe dep, tor apparatus for association with sub- Siohiiall'y Tillyreceptacle. conveyor mechanism.

although two embodiments of this invention have been, herein show-n anddescribed, it will be understood that numerous details of the con,-structiolns shown may be altered or omitted withcieioarting from thesri-rit of this invention defined by the following claims.

I claim;

1,. A device flor filling uniformly spaced con,- tainers movingsuccessively along a predetermined path, comprising an annular bodymember and an annular valving member mounted on a common axis in race toface engagement with each other above the containerV path, said commonaxis being .substantially normal to the container path, said valvingmember being rotatable against Said body member, said body memberhaving;` a cavity therein opening to the surface engaged by the valvingmember and the cavity-.opening extending aneularly with respect to SaidCommon axis and substantially parallel with the con.- t, r path, saidvalving member having a plu- Q allglllarly spaced discharge openingseach of less angular length than the cavityeopen.-

ing and successively registrable therewith upon rotation of the valvinemember. said discharge openings being spaced apart an angular distanceet least equal. to. the angular length of the cavity- Opening, means forturning said valving member about saidcommon axis and registeringSaiddischarge openings successively with the cavityopening in timedrelation with the movement of the receptacles. a supply connectiononsaid body member having communication with said cavity, and means kforsupplying suing material to said supply connection at a constantpredetermined pressure volume rate.

2, A device for filling containers moving sucoossively al ne apredetermined path, Comprising a body mounted on a. horizontal axisabove and normal with the container path and havingan internal Cavityopening to the surface of said body the Side thereof adjacent said path.the .oavitvforonins orio 'es .il-1th@ dir eotionof Said container oath.a valvise mombersurrounding seid. body in surface to surface engagementtherewith and rotatable in a vertical pla-ne connai-,tp the body axis.said, valvine member 'enclosing Said cavity-Goonies and having aplurality of discharge ports reeistrablo therewith. said dit,y

charge ports being spaced from each other in the direction of valvingmember rotation a distance at least equal to the length of thecavity-opening, and each of said discharge ports being of less lengththan said cavity-opening, means for turning said valving member andmoving the discharge ports successively into registry with and alongsaid cavity opening in timed relation With the movement of saidcontainers, a supply con- Vnection on said body having communicationwith -said cavity, and means for supplying filling material to saidsupply connection at a constant predetermined pressure and volume rate.

3. A device for filling containers moving successively along apredetermined path, comprising an annular body mounted on a horizontalaxis above and normal to the container path and having an internalcavity opening to the surface of said body on the side thereof adjacentsaid path, said cavity-opening extending angularly with respect to theaxis of said body, an annular valving member surrounding said body insurface to surface engagement therewith androtatable about the bodyaxis, said valving member enclosing cavityopening and having a pluralityof angulariy spaced discharge ports registrable therewith, saiddischarge ports being each of less length than said cavity-opening andbeing spaced apart an angular distance at least equal to the length ofsaid cavity-opening, means for rotating said valving member and movingthe discharge ports thereof successively into registry with and alongsaid cavity-opening in timed re- -lation with the movement of saidcontainers, and

a supply connection on said body having communication with said cavity.

4. A device for filling receptacles moving successively along apredetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mountedside-byside in predetermined spaced relation along and above thereceptacle path; each of said depositors comprising a body having ahorizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and aninternal cavityopening to the body surface adjacent said path,

.the cavity-opening having a predetermined length -in the direction ofsaid path, and a rotatable valving member surrounding said body insuriace-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the saidcavity-opening, said valving member rbeing rotatable in a vertical planeparallel With :the receptacle path and having a discharge portregistrable with the cavityopening, and said dis charge port being ofpredetermined length less than that or the cavity-opening in thedirection vof valving member rotation; means for turning the valvingmembers and moving the discharge 'ports thereof successively intoregistry with and along the respective cavity-openings in timed relationwith the movement of the receptacles, said valving members having theirdischarge ports displaced relative to each other in the direction oftheir movement a distance at least equal to `the length of the saidcavity-openings, and a vsupply connection on each body communicatingwith rthe respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

length in the direction of said path, and a rotatable valving membersurrounding said body in surface to surface engagement therewith forenclosing the said cavity-opening, said valving member being rotatablein a vertical plane parallel with the receptacle path and having aplurality of discharge ports successively registrable with thecavity-opening, and said discharge ports each being of predeterminedlength less than that of the cavity-opening in the direction of valvingmember rotation; means for turning the valving members and moving thedischarge ports thereof successively into registry with and along therespective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of thereceptacles, each valving member having its discharge ports displaced inthe direction of their movement and relative to the ports of theadjacent valving member a distance at least equal to the length of thesaid cavity-openings, and a supply connection on each body communicatingwith the respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

6. A device for filling receptacles moving successively along apredetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mountedside-byside in predetermined spaced relation along and above thereceptacle path; each of said depositors comprising an annular bodyhaving a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internalcavity opening to the periphery of the body on the side adjacent saidpath, the cavity-opening having a predetermined angular length, and arotatable valving member peripherally surrounding said body insurface-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the saidcavity-opening, said valving member being rotatable about the axis ofsaid body and having a discharge port registrable with thecavity-opening, and said discharge port being of predetermined angularlength less than that of the cavityopening; means for rotating thevalving members simultaneously and moving the discharge ports thereofsuccessively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openingsin timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, said valvingmembers having their discharge ports angularly displaced relative toeach other a distance at least equal to the angular length of saidcavity-openings, and a supply connection on each body communicating withthe respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

'7. A device for filling receptacles moving successively along apredetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mountedside-by-side in predetermined spaced relation along and above thereceptacle path; each of said depositors comprising an annular bodyhaving a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internalcavity opening to the periphery of the body on the side adjacent saidpath, the cavity-opening having a predetermined angular length, and arotatable valving member peripherally surroundving said body insurface-to-surface engagement spective cavity-openings in timed relationwith the movement of the receptacles; each valving member `having itsdischarge ports displaced 13 angularly relative to the ports of theadjacent valving member a distance at least equal to the angular lengthof the said cavity-openings; and a supply connection on each bodycommunicating with the respective cavity and leading from a commonsupply source.

8. A device for lling uniformly spaced receptacles moving successivelyalong a predetermined path, comprising a pair of depositors mountedside-by-side in predetermined spaced relation along and above thereceptacle path; each of said depositors comprising an annular bodyhaving a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internalcavity opening to the body surface on the side adjacent the said path,the cavity-opening having an angular length of substantially 90, and arotatable valving memberperipherally surrounding said body insurface-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the saidcavity-opening, said valving member being rotatable about the axis ofsaid body and having a pair of discharge ports registrable with thecavity-opening, said discharge ports each being of predetermined angularlength less than that of the cavity-opening and being diametricallyopposite each other in the valving member periphery; means for rotatingthe valve members simultaneously and moving the discharge ports thereofsuccessively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openingsin timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, said valvingmembers being arranged with the discharge ports of one displaced 90angularly relative to the discharge ports of the other; and a supplyconnection on each body communieating with the respective cavity andbranching from a common supply conduit.

9. A device for filling uniformly spaced receptacles moving successivelyin two parallel rows along a predetermined path, comprising a pluralityof depositors mounted side-by-side in predetermined spaced relationalong and above the re- 14 ceptacle path, one of said depositors beingdisposed above each row of receptacles, each of said depositorscomprising an annular body having a horizontal axis normal to thereceptacle path and an internal cavity opening to the body periphery onthe side adjacent said path, the cavity-opening having an angular lengthof substantially and a rotatable valving member peripherally surroundingsaid body in surface-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing thesaid cavityopening, said valving member being rotatable about the axisof said body and having a pair,.of angularly spaced discharge portssuccessively registrable with the cavity-opening, and said dischargeports being spaced apart substantially 90 from each other and each beingof predetermined angular length less than that of the cavity-opening;means for rotating the valving members and moving the discharge portsthereof successively into registry with and along the respectivecavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles,the discharge ports of one valving member being displaced angularlysubstantially with respect to the discharge ports of the other valvingmember, and a supply connection on each body communicating with therespective cavity and branching from a common supply conduit.

DENNIS W. SMITH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,075,534 Ash Oct. 14, 1913 1,260,636 Campbell Mar. 26, 19181,305,584 Yahle June 3, 1919 1,332,363 Schwarzer Mar. 2, 1920 1,420,222Schmidt Apr. 6, 1922 1,919,155 Ayars July 18, 1933 2,315,932 Burt et al.Apr. 6, 1943 2,351,732 Almono et al. June 20, 1944

